Store owner murder trial starts today

Opening statements are scheduled to begin today in the murder trial of Weston Scott Kruger, a Newport Beach man accused of killing a liquor store owner in Newport Beach in 2007.

Kruger, 31, is charged with murder and a sentencing enhancement for allegedly committing the crime during a robbery. If convicted of murder with the robbery enhancement, Kruger could be sentenced to life without parole.

In the summer of 2007, Kruger went to the Sportsman Liquor Store, 2615 Newport Blvd., to buy a pack of cigarettes, prosecutors said. While he was there, he tried to steal an adult magazine and was confronted by the store owner, Hao “Tony” Huynh.

Police said Kruger shoved the much-smaller Huynh to the ground. The back of Huynh’s head slammed into the pavement and he died the next day.

Kruger was recognized by a former Newport Harbor High School classmate and later arrested.

— Joseph Serna